ZEBRA (African name). The name in gen eral of all the African striped species of the horse family (Equid:v), of which four species are usually recognized. namely the true or moun tain zebra ( Eq tins zrl»-a). Bluebell's zebra (Equus Rurchelli), Gr6vy's zebra (Erin us Greryi), and the quagga (Equns quagga). The last-named was only partly striped and is extinct. (See QtTAccA.) The 'true' zebra is now nearly ex tinct. (See ENTINcT . NIMALS.) It was an habitant of South Africa. aml especially of moun tainous distriets, where it roved in small bands. It. was the smallest of the group, standing a trifle over four feet high at. the withers, and had loug ears, a comparatively short mane, and a seantily haired tail. Its ground-color was white (brownish on the face). and the stripes were blaek, and arranged as shown on the Plate accompanying the article EQuIn.E. Originally abundant in Cape Colony, all that remain of this species are a few carefully protected bands on certain mountains.
The zebra now' most often seen in South Africa, and common in menageries, is Burchell's, which the Boers call 'quagga.' It is from two to four inches taller than the true zebra, has shorter ears, a longer mane, and a more hairy tail. Its ground-color is yellowish, its black stripes are differently arranged (see Colored Plate accom panying article llonsE) and arc absent Iron] the lower legs, and there is no stripe along the spine. It is an inhabitant of the plains, where it gathers in small herds. Never known south of the Orange Diver, it has now become extinct in the Transvaal, but throughout all the plains-country north and west of that colony is still to be found in large numbers. It has often been semi-do mesticated, but never has been made generally useful; and a domestic race of zebras seems im practicable. :\ [any hybrids have been produced between this zebra and both the horse and the ass; but the results are not encouraging. For
the interesting phenomena of Ewart's experi ments with these hybrids see HYnnumTv; TELE GONY.
The third species, Grevy's zebra, inhabits the hilly regions from the Victoria _Nyanza north and east to Central Somaliland. It is taller and slimmer than the true zebra, and like it is striped down to the hoofs; but in other respects it more re sembles Burehell's. It is distinguished from both, however, by the much greater number of stripes. which are very narrow, deep black, and separated by narrow white streaks; the pattern of striping is its own, also. the transverse black lines reaching much farther across the sides, and the oblique stripes on the haunches being short. These zebras prefer hill-fo•ests and are known in their region as 'mountain' zebras in distinction from the plains-roving Burchell's. Several va rieties have been described and named, as Chap man's. Grant's, Selons's„ etc.. but all seem refer able to this single species, which was probably the one called by the ancients hippotigris. The habits of all zebras are much the same as those of wild asses or of wild horses; and it is be lieved that Grevy's zebra comes nearest of all existing Equidic in some of the more recent ex tinct horses, as HippaPion. It is, indeed, very difficult to distinguish one of these so-called `species' from another. or from the 'horses,' ex cept by the variable and transitory external char acters. Their flesh is most excellent food, and their hides have value for leather, as well as for making rugs and ornamental articles, and Man limiting is an attractive sport. Consequently the race is rapidly decreasing.